Page 74 of Love In The Spotlight

“I know they are worried about that. Or were. But everyone knows I’m their son. No one would think anything of it other than me providing for them.”

“So, in summary, what you’re saying is they don’t want to be judged that they might be misusing funds or not living what they preach and you don’t want to be judged that you are selfish and not sharing your wealth like what your father preaches?”

He stopped eating and looked at her. “I never thought of it that way.”

“Maybe you should,” she said. “The next time you want to help them, try to say you are doing what they taught you to do. Helping those less fortunate.”

He laughed. “I’m not sure I’d use that word. My mother might smack me and then go and pray for doing it.”

She grinned. “You know what I’m saying. Use their teachings and words against them if you have to to get your way.”

“Now I know why you’re good at your job,” he said.

“Great at my job,” she corrected.

“That too,” he said. They ate their breakfast in silence and he jumped in to say, “Janelle knows about you.”

“Oh,” she said.

“Is that a problem?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “I’m just surprised you said anything. Even though my brothers know.”

“She thinks we should go away for a bit,” he said. “I told her that is almost impossible.”

She frowned. “Yeah. At least right now. Maybe in the future, but you’re working weekends.”

“And Penelope’s birthday is after the Super Bowl, so I’ve got to focus on that.”

“Do you have a big party?” she asked. “How is that possible if you don’t want anyone to know who she is?”

He sighed again. “She’s young yet and doesn’t get it. She doesn’t go to PreK or anything. But I want her to next year. That is all part of coming out with who she is. Her birthday is just Janelle and I. Randy will come over if he can.”

“I’ll come,” she said. “My family too.”

“Seriously?” he asked.

“I know she doesn’t know me well, but she met me. Braylon, West and Nelson know about her. Abby and Lily because it’s not a secret work wise or family this close. And they know you’re my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” he asked, grinning.

Guess she let that slip. “Maybe I’m the only one thinking that way. We can change the subject. I’m pushing and shouldn’t.”

His hand reached out. “No. I need the push. I appreciate what you’re saying and doing. Let me bring you up to Penelope in small doses. It’s still almost a month until her birthday. Not quite. If it works into your schedule, maybe you can come to the house again and meet her. See how she is.”

“I’d like that,” she said. “And when her birthday rolls around, I can twist some arms and give your little girl a party with more than her Daddy and nanny in attendance.”

Which made her sad to think about.

Though her father missed a lot of birthdays in her life, she always had her siblings.

She always had her mother.

She even had extended family if there were any close by to where they’d been living.

As hard as it was to grow up with so many siblings, it was better than being alone, which she imagined Jamie was most of his life, even surrounded by so many people.

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